2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title US 90A Underpass Replacement Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 12:48:17 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The current underpass is considered an obsolete and substandard grade separation. The need for the project includes: substandard clearances, lack of shoulders, narrow lane widths (10 feet), propensity for flooding, and railroad track abutments that are located immediately adjacent to the curb of the underpass. The existing structure was constructed in 1932 and is located in a largely commercial and industrialized area. The pavement is deteriorated on this NHS roadway that is functionally classified at 2: US Highway. The roadway carries 3% truck traffic. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the propose project is to replace the substandard underpass with a new overpass that meets current state and federal standards and projected needs of the area including 11 feet travel lanes, medians (both raised and flush), four foot inside shoulders, and sidewalks adjacent to the roadway on both sides, and a 10 foot wide bike path adjacent to the shoulder, which would be separated by a concrete traffic barrier from the mainlanes. Once complete, flooding in the area during heavy rains, as a result of the existing underpass, should be eliminated. No additional capacity is planned at this time; however, the ultimate configuration will consist of 6 lanes (3 each direction). Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The project description for this approximately 3,000 foot project is US 90A from the western city limits of Richmond to FM 3155. The project will replace the existing railroad underpass with an overpass and approaches. The project will include a raised median for a portion of the roadway and a sidewalk on both sides of the eastern side of the roadway. The proposed facility runs east/west and is a four lane (two in each direction) facility. The project does not add capacity. From the east approach, the roadway would consist of two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction with a raised median. From the west, the lanes will remain 11-feet and an 11-foot left turn lane would be incorporated for west bound traffic. The lanes will continue with a continuous two-way left turn lane and no shoulders. A sidewalk is proposed adjacent to the roadway on both sides. The east bound side of the roadway will accommodate a 10 foot wide bicycle path adjacent to the shoulder. The bike facility would be separated by a concrete traffic barrier and will extend from the beginning of the east approach west to the intersection of US 90A with Lane Drive. All entrances into commercial areas would remain the same, no closures. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max The project was developed based on an assessment and study of the current state of repair of the facility. Alternatives were considered and the preferred alternative not only achieves accommodation of existing and projected traffic but also will help to eliminate flooding concerns, which impedes vehicular/freight movements during rain events. The no-build alternative would not improvement the roadway and therefore, congestion and safety problems may increase. The underpass alternative would have changed the median widths and approaches including elevations. It would require a shoo-fly bridge for trains and would also require a pump station to prevent flooding. The overpass option is the preferred alternative because of flooding issues, design geometry, and public opinion.

Project Narrative

Has a scoping meeting been conducted with TxDOT or FTA?
Note: A brief scoping meeting will be scheduled during the application review period for any “Major Investment” project which has not already had one. Yes Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

Scoping.docx

What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? (c)(28) Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement which meets constraints in paragraph (e) Will any permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, railroad, etc. be required before the project can be constructed? Yes Please describe the permits needed and the timeline anticipated to acquire them.
1000 characters max A railroad agreement is needed. TPDES and SW3P are required - TxDOT does not anticipate permits delaying this project. Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 11/04/2004 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? Yes How many parcels or portions thereof remain to be acquired? 1 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 08/01/2015 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). Relocation of utilities would be needed and the respective agencies have been notified. The funding for utility work would be the responsibility of the City of Rosenberg or the utility companies themselves. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? No Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. Public meeting 10/1/1998 – alternatives were presented, overpass was preferred City Council Meeting 1/26/1999 – result: resolution 11/4/99 endorsing the overpass Public hearing held 9/9/1999. In addition, this project is in the RTP and, as such, has been through additional public involvement. No other public involvement anticipated Public Involvement Attachment

0027-07-032 - ECOS - approved US 90A.pdf

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. The project is in the RTP and is exempt from conformity. The project was environmentally cleared in 2007 and had a re-eval approved on 10/7/2014. PS&E is 90 percent complete. A total of 1.3 acres is required for construction. No residential dwellings will be displaced. Nine parcels already have been acquired. The only parcel remaining to be acquired is the railroad parcel. The project will be ready to let by the time the TPC approves the new program of projects from the current Call. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

0027-07-032 - Schematic - US 90A at UPRR.pdf

Map/Location

Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map of the proposed project.
(*.mpk ESRI Map Package file preferred)

0027-07-032 - GIS - US 90A at W of Richmond and NSF RR.jpg

Project Budget

Please attach a completed project budget worksheet.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

01-07-15 0027-07-032 - Budget - US59.xlsx

Is this application for a transit project, ITS project, or other project that would have a significant ongoing operating/maintenance cost? No Please attach a completed 5-year annual operating budget worksheet.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

Are transportation development credits being requested? No Please attach a completed TDC application.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

Benefit /Cost Methodology - Roadway/Mobility (Non-ITS)

State of Good Repair – Operating/Life-Cycle Cost savings

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and appropriate narrative of analysis used.

0027-07-032 - BCT - US 90A from Richmond to Santa Fe RR.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Regional Impact

NHS/Principal Arterial This project is on the National Highway System and is functionally classified as 2: US Highway. The facility is considered a freight bottleneck. The existing structure was constructed in 1932 and the underpass is considered substandard. State of Good Repair and safety due to flooding are primary concerns for this NHS facility. Yes The project resides in a largely commercial and industrialized area. The project currently carries three percent truck traffic but is expected to increase. The current state of the facility will not accommodate anticipated growth because the current state of repair of the facility is considered substandard. No The project is in a largely industrial area.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes The project contains the construction of both raised medians and a flush, continuous two-way left turn lane, which also is a noted access management technique for certain facilities because the flush CTWLTL removes turning vehicles from the through lane thereby reducing the potential for a crash and also improving mobility. Access management is a compilation of treatments to improve performance and improve safety on a facility, it is not simply a raised median. Further, the project also contains sidewalks and a bike path. Yes The project will construct both sidewalks and a bike path designed according to State/AASHTO standards. No No ITS or other integrated technology is planned for this underpass.

Community

Yes TxDOT has studied the current underpass and determined that the underpass is considered obsolete and a substandard design. The new overpass recommendation (~3,000 feet) would meet current State and federal standards and would also resolve flooding concerns as a result of the current configuration. http://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=353

Yes The project is on Fort Bend County's Major Thoroughfare Plan and will provide a higher and better quality of vehicular movement for this NHS facility because the existing 10 foot wide lanes will be replaced with 11 foot wide lanes and would also include shoulders. The project also will eliminate roadway flooding concerns thereby improving vehicular/freight movement.